Research Digest

1. The mechanisms of manual therapy: A living review of systematic, narrative, and scoping reviews

   Treatment mechanisms are the underlying process or pathway through which a treatment influences the body. This includes molecular, cellular and physiological processes or pathways contributing to treatment effect. Manual therapy (MT) evokes complex mechanistic responses across body systems, interacting with the individual patient and context to promote a treatment response. Challenges arise as mechanistic studies […]

2. Analgesic effects of non-­ surgical and non-­ interventional treatments for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-­ analysis of placebo-­ controlled randomised trials

   The objectives of this systematic re new and meta-analysis is to investigate the efficacy of non-surgical and non-interventional treatments for adults with low back pain compared with placebo … MORE

3. Neuromuscular Response to High-Velocity, Low-AmplitudeSpinal Manipulation—An Overview

   The clinical use of spinal manipulation to treat musculoskeletal conditions has nearly tripled in the United States since 1980, and it is currently recommended by most global clinical guidelines as a conservative treatment for musculoskeletal pain, despite a lack of knowledge concerning its mechanisms of action. This overview highlights evidence of direct neuromuscular responses to […]

4. Indigenous Epistemological Frameworks and Evidence-Informed Approaches to Consciousness and Body Representations in Osteopathic Care: A Call for Academic Engagement

   Indigenous perspectives, which emphasize non-materialistic dimensions of healing, such as the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, align with one foundational principle of osteopathic care. Integrating these perspectives into person-centered care may enhance therapeutic effectiveness by accommodating diverse understandings of health and well-being. This perspective paper explores how various epistemological frameworks, including Indigenous non-materialistic […]

5. Autonomic correlates of osteopathic manipulative treatment on facial functional mapping: an innovative approach based on thermal imaging

   Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has shown efficacy in various clinical conditions and age groups. Understanding its neurobiological, particularly autonomic, mechanisms of action remain limited. Preliminary studies suggested a parasympathetic effect of OMT, evidenced by heart-rate-variability analysis. A cross-over RCT on healthy adults was conducted to compare OMT with sham therapy. Thirty-seven participants underwent two sessions […]

6. Insights into how manual therapists incorporate the biopsychosocial-enactive model in the care of individuals with CLBP: a qualitative study

   Chronic low back pain (CLBP) presents a significant challenge for manual therapists. Recent advancements in pain research have highlighted the limitations of the traditional biomedical and biopsychosocial models, prompting the exploration of alternatives. The biopsychosocial-enactive (BPS-E) model has emerged as a promising alternative. This study aims to explore the application of the BPS-E model by […]

7. Prevalence and profile of New Zealand osteopaths treating people experiencing headaches and migraines

   Manual and manipulative therapy interventions are commonly sought by individuals experiencing headaches or migraines. Evidence supports the use of manual therapy as part of the management of headache and migraine disorders. Osteopaths are health professionals who provide care for individuals experiencing headaches and migraines. However, there is a lack of data concerning the profile of […]

8. Contextual effects in musculoskeletal pain: are we overlooking essential factors?

   The role of contextual effects in musculoskeletal pain research and clinical practice has garnered growing interest in recent years. While ongoing research has advanced knowledge, it has also sparked debate between clinicians, clinical trialists and other researchers. The controversy over contextual effects in musculoskeletal pain research and practice highlights the tension between leveraging their therapeutic […]

9. Effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pain in palliative care patients: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

   Standard osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) is used as a supportive care for pain management in cancer patients. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of OMT with that of a sham treatment to attenuate pain in cancer patients in a palliative care unit … MORE

10. Early osteopathic manipulative treatment to prevent cranial positional deformities: A randomized controlled trial

    Cranial positional deformities occur frequently in the first months of life. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in preventing the onset of positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly at 4 months in at-risk newborns … MORE